Impact of a jet

1. INTRODUCTION
The equipment enables to measure the force developed by a jet of water deflected on a fixed impact object by
comparing it to the force predicted by the momentum theory.

2. THEORETICAL NOTIONS
The force exerted by a jet coming from a nozzle striking an object with a particular shape depends on the shape of
the same object. Fig. 1. shows two kinds of objects struck by a water jet.
a) Flat object: the outlet angle, β, of the jet is at 90° in respect to the inlet direction
b) Hemispherical object: the outlet angle, β, of the jet is at 180°in respect to the inlet direction

(a) (b)

Fig.1: Impact of a jet on a (a) Flat object (b) Hemispherical object

The jet impact force is given by the difference between the jet inlet ( mv1) and outlet (mv1cosβ) momentum:

ρ = liquid density
Q = liquid flowrate
v = liquid speed
 In case of impact on a flat object, β = 90° (cos β= 0)

 In case of impact on an hemispherical object, β = 180° (cos β= -1)

 In case of a conical object (45°), β = 45° (cos β = 0.07):

The jet outlet speed from the nozzle, v0, can be measured from the flow-rate Q, i.e. v0 = Q / area of the nozzle. The
jet, at the nozzle, has vertical direction but when it impacts the object it is deflected of an angle β depending on
the shape of the object. Applying the Bernoulli equation between the nozzle and the impact object:

Where,
 Pn is the pressure at the nozzle outlet
 Zn is the position of the nozzle outlet
 v0 the outlet speed from the nozzle
 Pp is the pressure after the impact on the support
 Zp is the impact position
 v1 is the impact speed

Because the nozzle and the impacted object are at Patm, Pn/γ − Pp/γ = 0. Also Zn - Zp = s, i.e. equal to the distance
between nozzle and impact object, we obtain:
So, it is possible to obtain the jet impact speed on the object from the jet speed at the nozzle outlet and from the
distance between the nozzle and the impact object.

3. EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION
The equipment is composed of a transparent cylinder inside which water is fed from a bottom pipe provided with
an interchangeable nozzle. The jet produced by the nozzle strikes an object supported on a stem which extends
through the cover. To counterbalance the force exerted by the water jet, weights are applied to the upper end of
the stem. A height meter for the weight assembly gives the balance position in absence of jet. When there is jet of
water, the force exerted by the last causes the stem to rise and this will be counterbalanced by adding weights
until the stem returns to its starting position.

In this way it is possible to determine the force exerted by the jet of water on the object under test. 3 kinds of
objects are available: a flat one, a conical one at 45°and an hemispherical one.

4. TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Hereafter follow the technical specifications of the equipment:
• Plexiglas diameter cylindrical tank
• 8mm-diameter nozzle
• 5mm-diameter nozzle
• Impact object of flat shape having a 30mm diameter
• Impact object of hemispherical shape having a 30mm diameter
• Impact object of conical shape (45°) having a 30mm diameter
• Nozzle distance – impact object: 20mm
• Set of stainless steel weights

5. PROCEDURE
The equipment can be connected to the hydraulic bench (HB) or to the main water supply.
• Set the unit on the work plane of HB or on a table that can stand the weight.
• Connect the input of ‘impact of jet apparatus’ to the main water supply.
• Set the outlet pipe of over the tank of the hydraulic bench.
• Remove the cover from the equipment by unscrewing the fixing screws and Screw the wished impact object to
the support stem, also Connect the nozzle with the wished diameter to the bottom pipe
• Set the cover and screw the fixing screws and adjust the pins so that the equipment is perfectly levelled
• Set the pointer besides the weight stem assembly to the red level (balance position without jet)
• Shut off the flow control valve of the hydraulic bench and open the exhaust valve of the volumetric tank of the
hydraulic bench. Then slowly switch on the pump of HB and open the valve until you reach the wished flow value
• Due to the jet, the impacted object will push the support stem upward; add the weights provided with the stem
until the plate will be taken back to the pointer height and note the value
• Note the flow value indicated by the variable area flow-meter of HB and the one calculated using the volumetric
tank of HB and a timer
• Repeat the test with different flow values and at the end of the experiment, shut off the hydraulic bench.

6. OBSERVATIONS CALCULATIONS
Object shape: flat  hemispherical  conical  Nozzle diameter: _________
Mass m (g) Volume V (l) Time t (s)

3 3
Theroretical force Fth = m⋅g = _______ N Flow Q = V (m ) / t(s) = ______ m /s
Nozzle section A = ⋅(D) /4 = _____ m
2 2
Speed v0 = Q/A = ____ m/s
Speed v1 = __________ m/s Force measured, Fx = ___________ N